skf

If the Maui Tropical Plantation tour is the same as we took in 2011, the plantation has a gift shop/ café. Had a mini red banana there for 99 cents...it was freshly picked and wonderful.

Steve

What will they settle on for a name? That survey Princess had was kinda silly

It would be nice to be invited. We have 244 days each; 258 after next October.

Steve

Thanx, Waterbug...I never actually asked.

Perhaps i should add that the airlines never actually promise you a particular seat, even if you get one assigned far in advance.

I wouldn't get terribly worked up about not sitting together

In my case this would not work out. I have diabetes & my hubby would worry about my blood sugar dropping if I were not right next to him.

Steve

It's the Captain's Circle.

We have never had Princess lose track of previous bookings but if you have questions the Circle Hostess will find out what you need to know...they are all very good and helpful. Welcome back.

Steve

We had a fire/sprinkler incident at the other end of the building on the 5th floor...someone left something cooking and found other things to do for about an hour. Quite the adventure with the fire siren blaring, the intercom robot shouting 'THERE IS A FIRE IN THE BUILDING!!!' and two trucks and three engines in the parking lot. There was a Niagara Falls of water pouring out of the original apartment followed shortly by a follow-up from floors 4, 3, and 2. Took at least three weeks to dry it all out.

Have not yet had the opportunity to try Porter, but I saw a newspaper or magazine article that really approved of them. If I were going to Toronto I would probably fly them so i could get off the plane in downtown. Last trip to Toronto was via the NY Thruway...a 12-hour drive.

I have been wondering for 10 years what those metallic hooks are in the ceiling of my apartment (that's "flat" for you, Shogun) .

Now if we could get movie & TV script-writers to stop the long-running but inaccurate gag of someone holding a match under one sprinkler and every sprinkler in the building all go off at once.

Steve

I think is a good deal of $285pp round trip USD

That is pretty good, in line with our hometown Southwest terminal to FLL.

We used to get price reductions by keeping an eye on current pricing and calling and getting the lower new price. This has changed somewhat as Princess now runs "Sales" with conditions applying only to "New Bookings." In fact Princess just today posted their air fares for our already-booked 8 October 2016 cruise from Rome to FLL. What shows is two prices, one at $389 for new bookings and another $150 USD higher for those already booked.

The new system does not permit moving any OBCs or suchlike to the new booking.

Steve

We're flying back next June on Icelandair. Taking advantage of their Stopover plan and spending 4 days there.

That's a good plan in every way...& a great way to minimize jet-lag.

I have not done any research on this topic, but you could look into flying to Boston-BOS or New York-NYC and try to connect there. Dunno if there will be better deals but it cannot hurt to look. JetBlue flies direct non-stop to FLL from BOS...you would have to look at jetblue.com because they, like Southwest only sell direct to their customers.

Steve

Some here have reported that V-8 is available, though i ask for tomato at brekkie.

Be aware that after breakfast there is a charge for tomato juice.

Steve

Don't forget to take into account the arrival time at your final destination. We would pay more for a morning arrival over an evening one.

Many years ago we sailed out of Venice on the Golden. It was a memorable voyage for the blown out windows as we skirted a hurricane in the Atlantic and our late arrival in New York.

We were there with you in 2002. If the 3-day storm had merged with the hurricane it would have been the all-time "Perfect Storm". I loved that cruise and Captain Andy and the Golden.

I have often wondered how they got the replacement windows installed for the next voyage. Took her again in 2008 to Hawaii.

Steve

If more info is required your immigration section will show Incomplete in red.

I'm pretty sure nukesub is correct. I believe the restrictions refer to other SALES promos but not the regular benefits given to shareholders or vets.

Quick question, if I purchase casino credits, can I go to casino to withdraw US dollars ? and is there a charge to do that ?

We did this one time and when we got back to the ship we were locked out of our casino access. Went to the desk and they explained that they do not appreciate being used as a bank and then let us back into our account.

I do wish that the USD & CAD were closer in value, but what can you do?

Your neighbour, Steve

What are the downfalls?

One would be if you took a non-cruise-line tour to "the middle of nowhere" far from the port & had a breakdown.

You might not want to book a tour like this, especially an all-day that is scheduled to get back just before ship's sailing.

OTOH...we took an unofficial spice tour in a truck thru Grenada and had a great day.

We sometimes do not book any tours at all and find what we find in the ports of call. These can be very enjoyable, leaving you to do or not as you please.

We were thinking once of cruising with two good friends but decided against because one of the couple is a bit too much of a control freak, having every minute scheduled and God help those daring enough to deviate for more than five seconds.

Steve

No photo (i have not figured out how to post 'em) but the love seats open sideways and when open leave plenty of room to get around them. We just had a 10-day experience in a Premium Balcony and the couch opens the long way and completely blocks access to the balcony and fridge.

Steve

No offense meant to anyone...as I pointed out I myself have a problem with too many stairs.

My comment was meant to perhaps nudge those who can climb to do so.

we would make one suggestion to those that are able (and willing) to use steps rather then always waiting (sometimes for more then 5 min) for an elevator.

I realize that some people have a hard time with stairs (I can do a few flights but I could not do the Great Wall of China anymore), but it seems there are always people waiting forever for the lift only to go one flight up.

We know Royal is not perfect but we sailed her in April 2014 for 18 days, booked again 10 days in Oct 2014, another 10 days in Oct 2015, and 14 days Rome to FLL Oct 2016.

One of the best crews on Princess, especially when we see Franco the Headwaiter.

I was sick in 2003 and had to stay on the ship. Pete went without me via the Princess coach from Greenock and had a wonderful if not entirely sober day at the Fringe Festival.

Steve